France to legalise online medicines

OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICINES COULD BE LEGALLY SOLD ONLINE, BRINGING FRANCE IN LINE WITH OTHER EU COUNTRIES THE sale of non-prescription medicines online could be legalised according to a

proposal that has angered pharmacists' unions. According to _Les Echos_, Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot had an initial meeting with representatives from the pharmaceutical industry

this week to discuss the plans. A working group has set up a working group that includes pharmacists, medicine safety watchdogs and manufacturers. The relaxed rules would only apply to

over-the-counter medicines that are not reimbursed by the Assurance Maladie. _Les Echos_ says the government hopes the move will offer better protection to customers buying medicines online.

Sites would have to be connected to a "bricks and mortar" pharmacy based somewhere in the EU to be considered legal. The idea has been strongly opposed by pharmacists'

unions, who say online sales are risky because there is no guarantee that the products are what they claim to be. A number of sites already deliver medicines to France, including slimming

pills, painkillers, cough and cold mixtures and items such as Viagra and Cialis - but they get around the ban by being based overseas. The law, if passed, would bring France into line with

15 other EU member states which already recognise online sales. Yanik Chauvin - Fotolia.com